If you want to find the best domain registrars for buying a domain name for your site, we’ve got you covered. For those who have never purchased a domain name before, it can be overwhelming to figure out where to buy one. What’s more, even the most seasoned website owners may want to switch it up when creating a new site.
What is a domain registrar?
A domain registrar is a type of online retailer that sells domain names for businesses, websites, personal blogs, and more.
What domain registrars are covered in this article?
Here, we have listed the following:
- Domain.com
- Bluehost
- GoDaddy
- Namecheap
- Hover
- SiteGround
- OVH
We will also cover the important features that each one has, such as pricing, user experience, and support.
Domain.com
With a name like “domain.com,” this registrar clearly identifies to consumers what they are doing in their domain name. Although domain name registry is not the only service this provider has, it is the chief function of their business.
The pricing structure for domain.com is as follows:
- .com domains cost $9.99
- .co domains cost $6.88
- .net domains cost $12.99
How easy is it to navigate domain.com?
It is relatively easy for users to use this website. Once you have chosen your domain name, you can go to checkout the items in your cart. When you checkout, you can expect to sift through a lot of upsells–more than your average domain registry.
What other services does domain.com provide?
In addition to domain registry, domain.com offers a range of different services. From a custom Website Builder to a web hosting service, you could technically have all of your website needs provided by domain.com. Like with most things, just because you can do this does not mean you should. In fact, most experts in website building agree that other providers’ web hosting services are significantly better.
How is the domain.com customer support?
Domain.com’s customer support can have sluggish response times and spotty response as a whole, based on some of the reviews. While these reviews tend to refer to their web hosting services, we can assume that the customer support is similar for domain purchases.
Bluehost
While domain registry might not be their first order of business, this web hosting provider does also sell domains. If you want a one stop shop that supplies your web hosting and domain, Bluehost might be the right choice for you.
The pricing structure for Bluehost is as follows:
At Bluehost, your first year of registering a domain name comes free with a hosting plan. The hosting plans are reasonably priced. The starting price is $3.95/month regularly and $2.75/month with certain promotions paid on an annual basis. This works out pretty affordably for both hobbyists and serious business owners alike.
How easy is it to navigate Bluehost?
For ease of use, Bluehost tops the list. Even if you have minimal or zero experience navigating domain registry and website hosting, Bluehost’s design is friendly to novice’s needs.
What other services does Bluehost provide?
Beyond domain registry, Bluehost provides web hosting, marketing services, web design services, and auto-renewal for your domain name to keep it from accidentally expiring.
How is the Bluehost customer support?
This company’s customer support may not be as spotty or slow as domain.com, but it still isn’t the best. Their hosting receives complaints that put them low on the list for customer service. Still, their other services are such high quality that they are still a worthwhile contender.
Namecheap
As the name implies, Namecheap is known for its affordable domain registration prices. Since it has complete ICANN accreditation, many website users trust it for reliable, legitimate domain registration.
The pricing structure for Namecheap is as follows:
For a .com domain, Namecheap charges $12.98. A .net domain costs $12.98 and a .co domain runs $25.98. Sometimes, they also run sales that make them even more affordable.
How easy is it to navigate Namecheap?
To navigate Namecheap, all you need are basic internet skills. It has a straightforward checkout process without bells, whistles, or upsells.
What other services does Namecheap provide?
Beyond registering a domain, Namecheap also provides free privacy protection for your domain registration details called “whois privacy protection.” This keeps your personal information such as your phone and address private on domain registries.
Namecheap also offers domain email forwarding at no cost to you, web hosting, and VPN services to help keep your data private.
How is their customer support?
The customer support of Namecheap consists of 24/7 live chat. Depending on what you prefer, this can be a con or a pro. They do not have a number for you to call for customer service. However, their 24/7 availability is still convenient.
Hover
If you’re looking for something new and innovative, Hover might be the domain registraf for you. The simplicity and straightforward nature of their company and set-up can be appealing to those who want a no-fuss experience.
The pricing structure for Hover is as follows:
For a .com domain, Hover charges $12.99. A .org domain will cost $13.99 and a .net domain costs $15.49. This makes it comparable to most other sites on the market.
How easy is it to navigate Hover?
As we mentioned earlier, Hover aims to keep their user experience simple. They don’t offer any upsells at checkout and they accept most forms of online payment such as PayPal, credit, and ApplePay.
What other services does Hover provide?
Other than domain registration, Hover offers domain email addresses with their domains, free of charge.
How is their customer support?
With a live chat support option, phone, and email customer support, there are many ways to reach them. Since their hours for customer service operate on Eastern Standard Time, they may be inconvenient to reach in certain time zones. Their hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Monday through Friday and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
GoDaddy
As one of the biggest and most popular domain sellers with an ICANN accreditation, it’s hard to look into domain registrars without running into its name. With their strong reputation and track record of positive customer experiences, they are hard to beat.
The pricing structure for GoDaddy is as follows:
For a .com domain, GoDaddy charges $17.99. For a .net domain, you’ll pay $19.99 and for a .co one it costs $34.99. As you can see, their prices are higher than some of the other registrars on the list. Since they have been around for so long and have made such a name for themselves, though, the price can be worth it to some for peace of mind.
How easy is it to navigate GoDaddy?
At GoDaddy, it’s relatively straightforward to navigate the website itself. The checkout process can be frustrating since it has a plethora of upsells. If you are comfortable wading through the upsells, though, it is a simple enough website to navigate.
What other services does GoDaddy provide?
Other than domain registration, GoDaddy offers bulk domain name buys. It also lets users try to buy domain names that have already been purchased. Additionally, they offer a directory with premium domains and web hosting with 1-click WordPress installation. Overall, if you can deal with the upsells and subpar customer service, they do offer a lot to their customers.
How is the customer support?
GoDaddy’s customer service department does not receive rave reviews. In fact, it receives quite the opposite. If strong customer service is important to you, another domain registrar may be a better fit.
SiteGround
Similarly to Bluehost, SiteGround prioritizes their web hosting services. Still, they are also a domain name registry.
The pricing structure for SiteGround is as follows:
For any kind of domain name, SiteGround’s pricing starts around $15.95. While this isn’t as competitive as some, it can be worth it if you already get hosting through them.
How easy is it to navigate SiteGround?
SiteGround is relatively easy to navigate. It has a straightforward design that is simple to use. When you use their hosting and buy a domain from them, it is nice to have everything in one place.
What other services does SiteGround provide?
As we mentioned, SiteGround also offers website hosting. They also offer email hosting for those who purchase a domain from them and those who purchase web hosting from them.
How is the customer support?
Unlike some of the other companies mentioned, SiteGround works hard to provide exceptional customer support. They have 24/7 phone, live chat, and ticket submission channels. Their customer service representative also have an extensive level of expertise in this field. This makes them a good choice for those who are just starting to own a website.
OVHcloud
For those who live in the U.K. or Europe, OVH can be the best choice. Since it is based in the United Kingdom and tops the charts as the premier domain registrar in Europe, it is reliable in that part of the world.
The pricing structure for OVH is as follows:
It is listed in pounds, so you will need to convert it to your currency.
How easy is it to navigate OVH?
OVH is easy to use with a straightforward domain management panel. If you live outside of Europe, you may find it confusing in certain areas.
What other services does OVH provide?
OVH has a free email address, whois privacy protection, security system for the domain name to avoid malware, and DNS management.
How is their customer support?
OVH reportedly has slow response times for customer support. Also, since they are in Europe, that may affect their time zones.
